214 Best Restaurants in Colorado, USA

If it's martinis and jazz you're after, come to this casually elegant space (larger and snazzier after a move to the historic Baur's Building), which features comfort foods with a twist and small plates. Live music most nights makes this a laid-back spot. The cocktail roster, printed inside old jazz albums, is one of the most intricate around, and the Sunday jazz brunch swings.

A sizable selection of beers from around the world helps make this casual establishment the liveliest spot in town, but what sets it apart is a wine list that's comprehensive and fairly priced—a rarity in low-key Winter Park. The cellar full of fine vintages is a labor of love for Deno and his son, the powerhouse duo behind the restaurant. The menu ranges from mushroom ravioli to certified Angus center-cut filet, all expertly prepared and served by friendly staffers who know their stuff.

Housed in the old Union Pacific Railroad warehouse, the restaurant, similar to the ones in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, is clubby, with dark-wood paneling and exposed brick. The food is basic American, and there's plenty of it: steaks, seafood, pizzas, and chicken served with hot corn bread and honey butter, and "bottomless" salads tossed at the table. This was one of the first brewpubs to pop up near the Coors Field ballpark, and it has withstood the test of time.

Stop in here for what's fittingly billed as "thought-provoking beer." Choose from a wide selection of craft ales and stouts to wash down a slice of tasty wood-fired pizza.

Loud and fun best describes this place, which is popular among locals and visitors of all ages. Kids hang out in the arcade while their folks watch sports on the big-screen TVs. Pizza, sandwiches, wings, and burgers with surprising toppings are classic crowd-pleasers. The full bar offers 30 beers on tap.

Earth tones and calming blue glass tiles that reflect flickering candlelight provide a serene backdrop for the beautifully plated Mediterranean delights of chef Jesus Alvarado who trained at Aspen's renowned Matsuhisa sushi restaurant only a few blocks away. From caviar served with tater tots and hamachi crudo to Chilean sea bass topped with fennel puree and lemon caper sauce, each dish is light and bright with gorgeous color and flavor. Steaks, lamb chops, and veal are also a hit, but the seafood shines. Ask the in-house sommelier to recommend pairings from the extensive wine list or choose from one of the city's best liquor selections, including an impressive Japanese whiskey collection. 

Asian food gets a bit of a Latin treatment in this inviting space. The menu has a strong Japanese bent, with sushi and sashimi, tempura, beef, and other traditional dishes elegantly presented and layered with complementary, often Southwest-inspired flavors.

The fajitas and well-stocked bar make this lively Mexican restaurant popular with locals and visitors alike. The decor is bright, with light woods and large windows. When the sun is shining, ask for patio seating by the river. If you're hungry, try one of the enchilada platters or carne asada. The fish and bison tacos are other popular options.

This casual brewpub is located by South Main River Park, so after tackling the nearby miles of hiking and biking trails, dine on burgers, sandwiches, pasta, or steak, and wash it down with ales brewed on-site. Or visit its taproom location just off Route 24 where the brewing facility is housed for a wood-fired pizza, nachos, and other pub food.

This craft brewery serves gourmet Himalayan fare and features live music on the weekends. Staples include tikka masala and momo dumplings, which you should be sure to pair with a pint made on-site. The restaurant is family friendly, though after dark, expect the true ski-town pub experience, as the bar fills with locals and travelers alike toasting the day's turns.

Aspen's elite book tables at this swanky, highly regarded restaurant in the Little Nell hotel not only for the beautifully presented entrées but also for the glass, ceiling-height wine cases stocked by knowledgeable sommeliers who also make tableside recommendations. The seasonal menu highlights locally sourced produce and game, as well as meat raised on Colorado ranches. For a lighter meal, head to the bar, which features Colorado beers and spirits.

If you want to sample some local brews, check out the Estes Park Brewery, which has been crafting beer since 1993. The food is no-frills (beer chili is the specialty), and the menu includes things like pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and house-made bratwurst. Not sure which beer you will like? Head downstairs to the tasting area to sample a variety of brews on tap, like the popular Stinger Wild Honey Wheat or the balanced Estes Park Gold amber ale.

This full-service cafeteria offers great views, but it's nothing fancy. Grab a simple coffee here or head across the dining room to Mesa Mocha for a latte. Order an omelet cooked to order, or if you're in a hurry to hit the park trails, you can grab a to-go lunch. Dinner options include basic pizza, salads, and bowls. Only breakfast is served during slower months.

Authentic and family friendly, this Mexican restaurant serves good food in huge portions. Try the chiles rellenos, super nachos, and especially the Chile Colorado: fork-tender beef simmered in a savory red-pepper sauce. The appetizer combo plate is a meal in itself, and to feed an army, order Fiesta Fajitas. There's a second location in Grand Junction.

With a focus on the historical cuisine of the Four Corners region where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado touch borders, chef Brother Luck's restaurant serves up creative tasting-style menus sure to impress his Top Chef fan base. Along with the Four Corners significance, the number four represents Luck's four key sources of ingredients—hunters, gatherers, farmers, and fishermen; the four seasonal menus; and the fact that Luck is the fourth generation in his family to have the name Brother Luck. The four-course suggestions are perfectly paired modern American dishes often featuring beef, wild game, or seafood, served up in a clean, modern dining room with a casual atmosphere for passing plates and allowing seasonal dishes to shine in flavor and presentation.

The menu at this unpretentious Italian spot is surprisingly rich and complex, featuring traditional favorites, as well as surprises like the scrumptious garlic-roasted prime rib. The atmosphere is especially delightful in summer, when you can dine on the outdoor patio overlooking the Gunnison River and enjoy an after-dinner libation at the River Bar. Don't miss the popular Float & Dine package ($95 per person), which includes a mellow but scenic predinner raft trip from Three Rivers.

The staff is friendly and the pizzas are excellent, thin-crust, and "Philly style," which means they also offer that town's famous stromboli with the same thin, crispy crust. If you'd rather have pasta, the jumbo beef ravioli is a local favorite. An exposition kitchen means lots of give-and-take between the dining room and the family that runs the place, and they still have the large, foliage-lined patio with its backyard feel.

At this lively dinner spot, which draws both foodies and the bar crowd, seasonal salads, pitas, pastas, and other options—from Mediterranean small bites like hummus and feta to classic American burgers and sandwiches—are made from scratch. The warm wood accents and colorful dishes enhance the ambience, making this a favorite with locals and visitors alike.

About 10 miles from downtown Boulder on the dirt road going through the historic region of Gold Hill, this humble cabin hardly looks like a bastion of haute cuisine, but its six-course prix-fixe dinner (or three-course option) is outstanding. Entrées change daily but have a mountain gourmet theme, and may include roast duck or leg of lamb.

The owners of this burger joint—a trendy dining room with exposed brick, bright-green seating, and animal drawings on the walls—grind their own beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and buffalo for exquisite gourmet patties. The focus is on locally raised, grass-fed meats and unusual toppings: try the lamb burger with tzatziki and feta spread, or even a vegetarian option. Arcade games entertain kids while parents enjoy Colorado microbrews.

As much a museum as an eatery, this restaurant is crammed with mining artifacts, odd antiques, and taxidermied animals. The hearty menu includes steaks, ribs, hamburgers, chicken, pasta, prime rib, and chicken-fried steak, all with homemade sides and sauces. The elk burger is a local must-try.

This spot combines specialty coffee with cocktails, tasty food, and board games to create a unique place to socialize in downtown Durango. Hearty burritos and sandwiches dominate the menu, though homemade pastries are on offer for a sweet treat. The café makes for a great place to post up on a laptop or plan an outdoor excursion with friends, while the back room is set up like a large living room complete with classic games and comfy couches.

Bring along a dollar bill that you're willing to leave on the wall---it will join thousands of others that have been drawn on, written on, and tacked up in rows around and above the bar. There's nothing fancy here, just good pasta and pizzas. If you're in a creative mood, build your own pie, with a combination of ordinary toppings, from pepperoni to sausage, then add more unusual extras like almonds or jalapeños. They don't take reservations, but you can call ahead for priority seating.

Outdoor adventurers both local and visiting gather to kick back and refuel on the fresh and healthy dishes at this lively spot on downtown's Main Street. Seasonal ingredients fill the bowls, salads, and sandwiches and are best enjoyed on the patio with a cold beer.

With 11 metro-area locations around Denver and Boulder (the original) and one in Fort Collins, this hip, homegrown chain of burrito joints gives larger operations like Chipotle a run for their money by using hormone-free meats and locally sourced ingredients and by offering three-hour daily happy hours and live music. The burritos are enormous—they even do a tasty fish version—and breakfast burritos (yes, they include chorizo) are nice options.

A blend of books, coffee, martinis, and some of the best breakfast and lunch sandwiches you can get your hands on make this cozy shop a local favorite. Collages covering ceiling tiles and worn couches give this spot its character, and the après-ski rehashing over hot buttered rum and wine samplings brings in the community.

This larger space from the brothers who own Sushi Den next door, Izakaya Den is supposed to be like a Japanese izakaya, an informal and inexpensive drinking place where snacks are served. Instead, its menu is nearly identical to its sister eatery's, with a more extensive roster of tapas-style sushi offerings, and they share the same executive chef. That said, the high quality of fish imported from the owners' market in Japan is unparalleled in Denver, and several dishes—the hamachi, the crispy tuna, and the Wagyu carpaccio—are stellar.

For a delicious summer detour, head 10 miles north of town to James Ranch, where you'll find a pleasant organic farm, with an outdoor grill that features homemade cheeses, homegrown meats, and produce grown on-site. The menu keeps things simple, featuring a short list of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. After visiting the goats, shop the local market next door.